Michigan To Hold Tornado Drill Wednesday For Awareness Week

DETROIT, MI – Michigan will hold a statewide tornado drill Wednesday as part of the statewide Severe Weather Awareness week.

The drill will take place at 1 p.m.

The Severe Weather Awareness week was established to help resident review their plans and take proactive steps to prepare for tornadoes, flooding and high winds.

There are a number of resources available to help prepare a family plan, a plan for their pets, and a plan for the community.

Michigan sees more than dozen tornadoes each year and emergency professionals have 10 to 15 minutes to warn residents.

Before a tornado:

• Identify safe rooms near your home and work.
• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Sign up for your community's warning system.
• Become familiar with the siren warning tone.
• Be alert for changing weather conditions.

Terms to know:

• Tornado watch: Move near enough to a shelter or sturdy to be able to get inside quickly
• Tornado warning: A tornado has been sight or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.
• Supercell: A system producing severe thunderstorms, featuring rotating winds sustained by a prolonged updraft that may result in hail or tornadoes.